Automatic closure for collapsible tubes or the like



Au so 1927.

g H. LENTZ AUTOMATIC CLOSURE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES OR THE LIKE Filed May 18, 1925 Patented Aug. 30, 1927.

UNITED STATES 1,640,782 PATENT OFFICE.

HUGO LENTIZ, or BERLIN, GERMANY.

AUTOMATIC CLOSURE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES R THE LIKE.

Application filed May 18, 1925. Serial No. 30,920.

This inventidn relates to a closure for collapsible tubes and the like which opens automatically when a pressure is exerted upon the contents of the tube and closes automatically when this pressure ceases.

Means for locking the closure for transport are further provided. The closure consists essentially of a. sleeve-like part having a central hole, placed over the smooth neck in of the tube which neck has openings, so

that it acts like a double seated valve with interposed piston slide and consequently ensures a packing perfect in every respect.

The automatic action of the closure is due 1.. to a resilient element (spring) arranged be tween the sleeve-like part and the neck of the tube in such a manner that it enables the sleeve-like part to execute a short opening movement or to become inoperative in a predetermined position.

A. tube with the closure according to the invention is shown by way of example, in the accompanying drawing in which' Fig.1 is a longitudinal section through the upper part of the tube.

- Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section on line IIII of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross section on line III-III of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the bottom of the tube neck viewed in the direction of the arrow A in Fig. 2.

. The body 1 of the tube is made of flexible material and has at the upper end a rigid neck 2 closed at its outer end by means of an end wall 3. The outer surface of the neck 2 forms a-smooth cylinder 4 over which a tight cap 5 is placed which has a lower flange 6 bearing on a packing surface 7 of the tube neck and in its end wall is provided centrally with a passage or opening 8 the edge of which bears against a projection 9 of the end wall 3. In the neck 2 of the tube two openings-10 are arranged the. one opposlte the other which open into, spaces 11 extending to the outflow passage the passage 8 in engagement with the projection 9 under a certain preliminary tension. When an inward pressure is exerted upon the tube the contents thereof will be forced through the openings 10 into the spaces 11 and accordingly will exert a pressure, in an outward direction, upon the inner surface of the end wall of the cap 5. Under the effect of this pressure the element 12 will yield whereby the cap 5 is displaced in outward direction with respect to the neck 2 and uncovers the opening 8 or in other words shifts it away from the projection 9 and permits said contents to pass out through said opening 8. When the pressure is removed the cap 5 is automatically brought back into the the spring-like action of the element 12.

If the cap 5 is however rotated so that the element 12 is in the position of line 6-45 of Fig. 4 the grooves 15"- act as cams so that the ends of the element are clamped by the edge of the plane bottom surface 14 whereby the resiliency of the element 12 is rendered inactive. The closure is t us locked for the transportof the collapsible tube.

It will be noted that the element 12 is carried by the cap 5 and moves in unison therewith. Thus, as the cap is turned on the neck 2, or moved lengthwise thereof, the element 12 will perform similar movements within the apertures 10 and thus keep these apertures clean. This is an important advantage, particularly when the tube 1 contains paste or other material liable to become hard and to clog the apertures 10.

It will also be noted that the element 12 exclosing position by grooves 15. When the v tends across the interior of the neck 2, and thereby'furt-her assists in cleaning the outlet passage which leads from the interior of the tube 1 through the neck 2, the apertures 10 and the recesses 11 to the main outlet 8 of.

the tube.

" are automatically produced at the mouldlike comprlsmg ing of the neck.

The inv'entionls obviously not limited to the form of construction illustrated. The

resilient element may also be composed of several parts.

The closure according to the invention is not necessarily mounted on the tube; it may forman independent element adapted to be screwed upon .the usual threaded parts.

'1. A closure for collapsible tubes and the in combination with the collapsible tube, a neck having an outlet passage, a cap'reciprocably'mounted on said neck and normally closing said passage, and a resilient "member extending diametrically through apertures in the walls of said neck and across said passage, and being secured to said cap to yieldingly retain the cap in its normal position.

2. A closure for collapsible tubes and the like comprising in combination with the collapsible tube, a cylindrical neck having an outlet passage, an' apertured cap reciprocably mounted on. said neck and normally closing said passage, and a resilientmemberengaging said neck and extending diamet-' rically through apertures in the walls of said neck and across said passage and being secured at opposite'points to said cap to permanently retain it on the tube, and to yieldin'gly retain it in its normal position.

3. A closure for collapsible tubes and the like, comprising in combination with the collapsible tube, a neckhavin g a bore communicating with the interior of said tube, a member extending transversely of said bore and cooperating with said neck'to define a pair of outletopenings, the inner sur-" face of said member being formed into a pair ofcams and theputer surface of said member being provided with a projection, a cap reciprocably mounted on said neck and having an aperture positioned to' receive saidprojection, and a spring'traversing said openings, engagingsaid cams, and having its ends fixed at opposite points to said cap 10' and extending from the inner the openings 10 to the outer edge collapsible tube,

opposite points so as to permit limited reciprocation and rotationthereof, and to permanently and yieldingly connect said cap with said neck.

4. A closure for collapsible tubes and the like comprising in combination with the collapsible tube, a cylindrical neck having a pair of diametrically opposed outlet openings and having an end wall provided with a pair of wedge-shaped grooves forming cam surfaces and converging toward each other to form an apex, a cap reciprocably mounted on said neck and arranged to simultaneously seal botlr of said outlet openings, and a spring permanently and yieldingly connecting said cap with said neck, said spring traversing said openings and being situated, when the closure is in dis-v pensing position, in the central axes of said grooves and being bent downward by said apex with slight preliminary tension whereby the cap is yieldingly retained in sealing position and its rotation with respect to the neck is limited. f

5. A closure for collapsible tubes and the like comprising in combination with the a cylindrical neck having a pair of diametrically opposed outlet openings and having an end wall provided with a pair of cam surfaces converging towarda cap reclproeach other to; form an apex, cably mounted on said neck and arranged to simultaneously seal both of said outlet openings, and a spring permanently and yieldingly connecting said-cap with said neck while permitting limited rotation of said cap, said spring traversing said openings andbeing clamped by the camsurfaces of said end cap is positively held against reciprocation. 6. A closure for collapsible tubes comprising in combination 'witlrthe collapsible tube a cylindrical neck having a bore communicating with the interior of said tube, a member formed on said neck, extending transversely of said bore, and cooperating with the walls of said neck to define a pair of outlet openings, the outer. surface of said member being provided with a projection, a cylindrical'cap reciprocably mounted on said neck and having an aperture positioned to, receive said projection, yieldin means traversing said openings, engaging t e inner surface of said member,

limited reciproc tion and rotation of the .cap,iand to permanently and yieldingly com a cam S111- nect said cap to said neck, and

face formed on said neck and engaging said yielding means upon rotation of the cap to lock'the cap in closed position.

and belng 'fixedi at to said cap so as to permit I In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

, HUGO LENTZ.

100 wall whenthe cap is rotated,.whereby the 

